By Darin February 9 in Football History: The Ravens’ Wings and Gridiron Foundations
How did a “no tampering” pact between rival leagues and the official naming of a purple-clad dynasty in Baltimore change the trajectory of the NFL? On February 9th, we celebrate a date set by the game’s architecture. From the first Raiders coach’s sideline debut to the historic arrival of Al Michaels on Sunday Night Football, this date captures the evolution of how we watch and play the sport. Whether you are reliving Jalen Hurts’ Super Bowl MVP performance or the collegiate dominance of “Sun Devil” legend Danny White, February 9th delivers a masterclass in professional and collegiate excellence.
Football History Timeline of February 9
- February 9, 1960 – The AFL and NFL agreed verbally to a “no tampering” pact. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, the verbal pact between the then-rival professional football leagues pertained to player contracts. It might just be the first thing that these two organizations agreed upon in the early 1960s.
- February 9, 1960 – Eddie Erdelatz was appointed as the first head coach of the Raiders. Eddie stayed on the sideline for two seasons in Oakland, but they parted ways in late 1961 after his team recorded a dismal 8-20 record in the AFL.
- February 9, 1996 – The Baltimore Ravens franchise was officially announced by the League office. The Ravens were the franchise that formerly called Cleveland home. On February 8, 1996, Art Modell, the owner of the franchise, learned that the “Browns” nickname belonged to the City of Cleveland and would not be taking it with his franchise.
- February 9, 2002 – Aloha Stadium, Honolulu – At the NFL Pro Bowl for the 2001 season, the AFC streaked past the NFC, 38-30. Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon won the MVP of the game.
- February 9, 2006 – Legendary play-by-play man Al Michaels joined NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast with John Madden. Al had formerly worked with ABC Sports for the better part of three decades. Michaels had a breadth of experience in covering NFL games prior to this move, as he had been a mainstay for almost 20 seasons as part of ABC’s Monday Night Football. At the time of this writing in 2021, Michaels had just completed his 15th season as the voice of Sunday Night Football.
- February 9, 2025 – In the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans – The Eagles’ dominant defense forced multiple turnovers from Patrick Mahomes and prevented a historic third consecutive Super Bowl win for the Chiefs, while Jalen Hurts led the offense to score 40 points, earning him the Super Bowl MVP award.
February 9 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
- Rod Cason
- Danny White
- Dan Ross
Conclusion
February 9th serves as a bridge between the gritty negotiations of the 1960s and the high-tech spectacles of the modern era. It is the day the NFL and AFL found their first common ground, the day the Baltimore Ravens took flight, and the day Al Michaels began his legendary run on Sunday nights. From the versatile brilliance of Danny White to the championship resilience of Jalen Hurts, this date highlights the players and personalities who defined the “winning tradition.” As we reflect on these milestones, February 9th remains a vital chapter in the ever-expanding book of football history.
